Wanted to get the galleries opinion on Cardinals Catcher Yadier Molina and his potential HOF candidacy. Was listening to the Mariners pregame show on Friday night and the broadcaster announced Molina as a future HOFer.

I've never thought of him that way but when it comes to catchers they don't need to put up huge numbers and his defensive metrics are certainly worthy.

Discuss...

I'd probably say no. He really wasn't anything great with the bat and I doubt he did enough defensively to overcome that.

This statement answers your question because I'm sure the vast majority think the same:

"I've never thought of him that way........"

Looking at his similarity scores on B-R, there isn't a single HOFer on any of the three lists. So no is probably a safe bet.

No. Pudge Rodriguez was as least as good defensively and a better hitter, and he doesn't belong in the Hall either.

Posted by wylie715 on 6/28/2016 12:41:00 AM (view original):
No. Pudge Rodriguez was as least as good defensively and a better hitter, and he doesn't belong in the Hall either.

Only because of PED speculation???

Posted by MikeT23 on 6/27/2016 10:21:00 PM (view original):
This statement answers your question because I'm sure the vast majority think the same:

"I've never thought of him that way........"

Well Mariners broadcaster Aaron Goldsmith thinks so. Probably because he's comparing him to Mariners catchers of yore!

I dunno, hard to say. A few years ago I would have said he was likely on track to be a HOFer, but he's aged fast. Not all that uncommon for catchers, but it's caught Yadier even earlier than most.

Even so, he has been the best defensive catcher of the past decade by a comfortable margin. He has been great at everything - game calling, pitch framing, throwing, on-field leadership, all of it. At this point, I don't see him quite getting there. But he's close.

Posted by Got_Worms on 6/28/2016 2:44:00 AM (view original):

Posted by MikeT23 on 6/27/2016 10:21:00 PM (view original):
This statement answers your question because I'm sure the vast majority think the same:

"I've never thought of him that way........"

Well Mariners broadcaster Aaron Goldsmith thinks so. Probably because he's comparing him to Mariners catchers of yore!

Funny. Now you have me trying to figure out who the best catcher Seattle has had. Slim pickins.

Posted by MikeT23 on 6/28/2016 7:08:00 AM (view original):

Posted by Got_Worms on 6/28/2016 2:44:00 AM (view original):

Posted by MikeT23 on 6/27/2016 10:21:00 PM (view original):
This statement answers your question because I'm sure the vast majority think the same:

"I've never thought of him that way........"

Well Mariners broadcaster Aaron Goldsmith thinks so. Probably because he's comparing him to Mariners catchers of yore!

Funny. Now you have me trying to figure out who the best catcher Seattle has had. Slim pickins.

Probably Dan Wilson. Which isn't saying much.

Posted by wylie715 on 6/28/2016 12:41:00 AM (view original):
No. Pudge Rodriguez was as least as good defensively and a better hitter, and he doesn't belong in the Hall either.

You're on crack if you don't think Pudge is a HOFer. Career 46% CS, 13 GGs, MVP award and 4 Top 10 MVP finishes, over 300 homers, nearly 3,000 hits - and he played the most games ever as a catcher.

Unless PED assumption is your reasoning, there is no reason he's not a HOFer.

Here's a question, and I really am not sure what the answer is.

Was Molina's game calling reputation primarily his own, or was he a product of that team.

I know, all catchers are a product of the coaching, pitching, and their own talents. Its just that I look at Carlos Ruiz, and while he did have some very good pitchers, he earned his reputation handling the younger or more mediocre ones. And guys like Lee, Hamels, and Halladay swear by him.

Was Molina in that same class as a game manager?

Posted by Jtpsops on 6/28/2016 9:54:00 AM (view original):

Posted by wylie715 on 6/28/2016 12:41:00 AM (view original):
No. Pudge Rodriguez was as least as good defensively and a better hitter, and he doesn't belong in the Hall either.

You're on crack if you don't think Pudge is a HOFer. Career 46% CS, 13 GGs, MVP award and 4 Top 10 MVP finishes, over 300 homers, nearly 3,000 hits - and he played the most games ever as a catcher.

Unless PED assumption is your reasoning, there is no reason he's not a HOFer.

Let me rephrase my statement. he may belong in the HoF, but he will never be elected due to PED allegations. is that better?

I don't think the link has ever been strong enough that it will keep him out. Piazza had rumblings associated with him and got in.

Posted by Jtpsops on 6/28/2016 1:42:00 PM (view original):
I don't think the link has ever been strong enough that it will keep him out. Piazza had rumblings associated with him and got in.

We'll find out next year!